Four Great Apes at The Risk of Covid19

30/04/2020admin0 Comments

The deadly corona Virus that has shaken the whole world is not only a threat to people but also primates. Yes, the world’s great apes are at great risk of infecting this deadly disease. The threat of Corona Virus to the great apes of Africa has led to the closure of primate national parks on UgandaUganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of CongoCongo, and in the whole world. These apes are believed to share over 99% of human genes and hence susceptible to any human illness. Apes are undeniable the close relatives of human beings given the many human-like behaviors these apes portray. The closure of national parks and restrictions on movements has affected conservation activities in the whole world putting the endangered risks at a risk. The survival of these critically endangered apes has been relying on the revenues collected from the sale of the permit on a daily basis. The great apes threatened by covid19 include:

Mountain gorillas

Inhabited in the jungle forests of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, mountain gorillas are great apes threatened by the deadly pandemic. The endangered species only survey in four national parks of Africa, which are Bwindi Forest National Park/Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Congo. Gorillas were one on the verge of extinction lots to poaching, diseases, and habitat loss. Thanks to the fallen Dan Fossey who lost her life preaching the gospel of gorilla conservation in the Virunga Conservation Area. For the last over 20 years, mountain gorillas have been the top tourist attractions to travelers in Africa attracting the highest number of travelers from all over the world. Mountain gorillas are habituated into families each visited by a group of 8 people per day. Apparently, all gorilla trekking tours in Ugandagorilla trekking tours in Uganda, Rwanda ad Congo are temporally suspended to save the endangered gorillas the risk of catching Corona Virus. Gorilla trekking has been a major source of foreign exchange for the governments of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. A single gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500 while in Congo it costs $450. In Uganda, gorilla permits cost $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents, and UGX 250,000 for East African residents.

Chimpanzees

The deadly Corona Virus also threatens endangered chimpanzees. Just like the mountain gorillas, chimps are close relatives to human beings sharing over 99% of human genes. The primates are therefore susceptible to human illness especially the respiratory diseases of which Corona Virus is among. In Uganda, Chimpanzees live in Kibale Forest National Park, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge, and Budongo Forest. Rwanda chimpanzees live in Nyungwe Forest National park and also in the rain forests of Congo. The human-like characters of chimpanzees within their communities make them worth a visit.

Orangutans

Orangutans are not left out when talking about are threatened by Corona Virus. Orungutans are a close relative to human beings with fur fingers, which it uses to gather food. The native habitats of Orungutans in the world include Danum Valley in Sabah Malaysia, Gunung Leuser in Sumatra Indonesia, Kinabatangan River in Sabah Malaysia, Tanjung Putting in Kalimantan Indonesia and in Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Sabah in Malaysia. The Orungutans rehabilitation centers in the world include Sepilok Orangutan rehabilitation center in Sabah, Semenggoh Wildlife Centre in Sarawak, Matang Wildlife Centre in Sarawak and Camp Leakey in Kalimantan.

Baboons

Baboons are yet another endangered apes at the risk of catching the deadly Corona Virus. Baboons are found almost in all rain forests across Africa and the whole world. Baboons are the largest monkeys in the world. Species of baboons in the wild include Guinea baboon, Olive baboon, Yellow baboons, Hamadryas baboons, Olive baboons, Papio Papio,Papio Cynocephalus, Chacma Baboon, Central Yellow Baboon, Guinea baboons, Kinda Boboons and Papio Ursinus Ursinus among others.

Other threats to apes in the world

Besides illnesses, apes in the wild are threatened by many other things, which hinder their survival. The threats to the survival of apes in the wild include:
1. Loss of habitats
2. Poaching
3. Civil conflicts
In general, great apes are at risk of catching the deadly Corona Virus. Government tourism bodies are working together to protect the apes and ensure sustainable tourism in the whole world.

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